The coach or me? Buli’s Shooting Star Learns Professional Business in a Crash Course

« If I’m honest, a lot, » Can Uzun recently said about the influence of the feel-good factor in his decision to join Eintracht Frankfurt two years ago. It’s just stupid that his coach doesn’t give a damn about this topic. So this summer is it the coach or me? Or do both work?

Uzun is currently said to have a very low opinion of Albert Riera. He left him on the bench for 90 minutes in the last match against Cologne, then publicly excluded him: « The fact that some people didn’t play is because you can be good with the ball, but you’re not good without the ball. You won’t play with Albert. I’m very clear about that. I want complete players. They have to do both jobs. »



Uzun therefore does not defend well enough and does not put himself at the service of the team enough. A clear announcement from the SGE coach, who has never been short of clear announcements and who would not only have irritated Uzun with his ruthless personnel decisions, as reported by ‘hr-sport’. Jonathan Burkardt and Mario Götze were also affected by Riera’s fate.

According to ‘Bild’, he went too far. Uzun plans to leave Eintracht next summer. One of the main reasons: the new coach. However, a decision will only be made after the end of the season.

And a lot could change between now and then, as Riera is no longer firmly in the saddle after mixed results and due to his attacking nature. His term « will not be long », declared Phil Hofmeister of « Hessischer Rundfunk », based on his « intuition » in the podcast « Fever Pit’ch ».

So, will Uzun have a new coach who hits the right note again? Could this influence his decision? In the Eintracht Frankfurt video ‘069 Homies’, he recently explained how important these soft factors are to him. The fact that Nathaniel Brown was playing for SGE when Uzun decided to join SGE two years ago certainly played a role. Both had known each other since their stay in Nuremberg. Brown joined the Eagles six months before Uzun.

« I said to myself: firstly, it’s a great club. Secondly, I already know someone, and not just anyone, but the one I get along with best. That’s great for me, » Uzun said.

Ultimately, it could also be that neither Riera nor Uzun will be in Frankfurt at the start of the season. As the ‘kicker’ reports, sporting director Markus Krösche must generate a high transfer surplus. One of the possible candidates for sale is of course Uzun, who despite his injuries has eight goals and five assists in 22 competitive matches and is still only 20 years old.

According to ‘Bild’, Frankfurt have reduced transfer fees from 80 to just 40-45 million euros. AC Milan is one of those interested.

Ultimately, there might even be pressure from the club for Uzun to look for a new club. At the latest at that point, the feel-good feeling would disappear and Uzun would get a crash course in how a top talent that everyone praised becomes a budget item that is only expected to quickly generate the necessary profit.

At least Uzun has his good friend Nathaniel Brown by his side through all the unpredictability that awaits him in the coming months. At least if it is not sold first. The 22-year-old is also one of the flagships of SGE.


📸 Christian Kaspar-Bartke – 2026 Getty Images

See publisher’s imprint